Russia: Anna Politkovskaya murder convictions fall short of full justice

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May 21, 2014

Russia: Anna Politkovskaya murder convictions fall short of full justice

The conviction of five men for the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya marks only a small step towards justice. The process has left too many questions unanswered and full justice will not be served until those who ordered the crime are identified and face the courts, Amnesty International said.

“The tragic murder of Anna Politkovskaya uncovered the incredible dangers faced by those trying to expose human rights abuses and corruption in Russia. Until justice is delivered on her case, all journalists and activists will be at risk,” said Sergei Nikitin, Head of Amnesty International’s office in Russia.

“Authorities in Russia must demonstrate with concrete actions that they are trying to establish who wanted Anna Politkovskaya dead. Those who ordered her killing must be identified and face justice.”

Late on Tuesday, a court in Moscow convicted five men for carrying out the 2006 murder of the journalist outside her apartment in the capital. It is still not known who ordered her killing.

At the time, she had been reporting on human rights issues in Russia, particularly in the Chechen Republic in the North Caucasus.

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